Hop on Pop and Other Stories of Violence

A Canadian parent filed a complaint to the Toronto library last year, asking to ban Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book Hop on Pop because it “encourages children to use violence against their fathers.” The complaint was revealed this week when the Toronto Library released its Materials Review Committee report for 2013.

The person suggested that the library remove the book from the library’s collection and “issue an apology to fathers in the GTA and pay for damages resulting from the book.”

The committee rejected the complaint and retained the book in the children’s book finding that ”the book is a humorous and well-loved children’s book” and has maintained its popularity since it was published in 1963. The committee also pointed out that, “the children are actually told not to hop on pop.” (Via TIME).

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I laughed. My first thought? Idiot. Yep, let’s go ban Dr. Seuss because he condones violence against parents.

Banned Books Week isn’t until September, but I think censorship is an important issue year-round. I am a staunch advocate of the First Amendment, but I come at this issue from a slightly different angle.

I tend to be right of center politically, and while I don’t publicly talk about politics because I am burned out after 13 years working in the California State Legislature, my first real up-close-and-personal view of censorship was when I was the Editor-in-Chief of a right-of-center newspaper in college. I went to UC Santa Cruz which has a “progressive” or “liberal” student body. I went to college because I wanted to not only learn about everything, but be exposed to new and different ideas, even ideas that differed from my own. I loved debate, and considered myself good-natured even when I didn’t agree with someone. My Intro to Law professor, a self-proclaimed Marxist, told me that I was the only person in class who ever questioned anything he said. He was revered on campus. Because he was so worshipped, no one questioned anything he said. I actually liked him a lot — I like being challenged — and while I didn’t agree with a lot of his conclusions, I learned a lot and I respected him. He made me think about what I believe and why and learn to back up my convictions with facts as well as admit when I was wrong.

So I was surprised when, in my sophomore year, our inaugural issue of the monthly newsmagazine was distributed according to campus policy (in designated areas) in the early hours of the morning … then collected by a group of so-called “progressives” who didn’t like what we had to say and threw stacks of our newspapers in the trash. More than half our print run was thrown away before dawn.

It was this intro to censorship that turned me from a general supporter of the First Amendment to a die-hard opponent of censorship. I am not threatened by other people’s ideas. I don’t have to agree with them, I don’t have to like them, but I’m not threatened by them. I am comfortable with my libertarian philosophy just like I’m comfortable with my religious faith. And I accept that not all my friends agree with me and I love them anyway.

So book banning falls right in line with my frustration with public officials of ALL political parties wanting to censor ideas, articles, and more.

The “Hop on Pop” article simply highlights the absurdity, showing that there will always be someone who is offended by something.

As a parent, I have the right to ban books in my house. There are age appropriate books. I’m not going to allow my 11 year old daughter to read Fifty Shades of Grey. If my 17 year old daughter wants to read it, I wouldn’t stop her, though I might tell her I think she should read something else. I told my kids once they hit 14, they can read whatever they want. I did. I read highly inappropriate things even before I was 14 and didn’t end up a sexual deviant or serial killer (though I write about them!)

Seriously, though — parents have EVERY right to censor what their kids read, but not what other kids read. Parents can and should have the right to sign off on controversial books (such as books depicting sex and violence) in schools for their minor children. But that doesn’t mean that no one should be allowed to read the book. I allowed my middle school daughter to read SPEAK, but I can understand why some parents wouldn’t. Some kids aren’t mature enough to handle the subject of date rape, and some kids who are 11 or 12 are truly not in a place where they need to have those images in their mind. But as PARENTS we know our children best.

So this is the end of what is probably my most political post ever. I just wanted to say it.

What “banned book” is your favorite and why?

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Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-four romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband and five children.

17 comments on “Hop on Pop and Other Stories of Violence”

Allison, scoot over and make room on the raft. I completely agree with everything you said. When I was in late elementary school and middle school, my mom read everything I read. She wanted to know what I was reading. I think parents absolutely have the responsibility to guide what their children are reading. Past that, nope.

Alli, you and Toni make room. I’ll bring paddles for the raft. And snacks. My dad told the librarian to put my name on his card and allow me to check out anything I wanted to read. I was ten.

Favorite banned book? Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. So what if it has the “N Word” in it? That’s not a word I use but I grew up with people who did. Did they mean it derogatorily? In some instances. But gosh, people of color sure bandy that word around freely but suddenly it’s racist in a book that was published in 1885 when that word was in common use? Okay. Ending rant before it ever gets started.

I treated my daughter like my dad treated me. I told her to read whatever she wanted because…hello…READING! If she had questions or concerns, we talked them over.

When people start talking book bans, I remind them of the Nazi and Communist regimes who did the same. Hrmmmm…. When people start limiting speech that disagrees with them, makes me wonder what they’re afraid of.

Nothing bad has come from reading broadly. One reason I’m a staunch opponent of Common Core is because of the de-emphasis on reading literature. There are so many fabulous books out there … and truly, I think we as a society learn from reading the literature of the past. Jesus spoke in parables because people love stories. They learn best through stories. They make advanced connections because of stories — not because someone makes an argument.

I equate book banning with editing films of the past — for example, taking cigarettes out of classic movies. Really.

By the time I was in 7th grade I was using my Mom’s adult library card. I can remember complaining to my Mom that the books I could take out with my card were too childish. So she said no problem and gave me hers. Now I don’t remember if she gave me a note or called the library to say it was ok for me to use her card.

My favorite banned book is “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Sure, there are some questionable and even reprehensible themes in the book. That’s why it should be read, not banned. As a Southerner, I’ve often thought TKAM and Gone With the Wind should be on the list of required reading about the South. (I’d probably add A Confederacy of Dunces to that list, too.)

People who are afraid of diverse opinions should not be in positions of authority in government or education. We lose too much if people never disagree.

Best thing on the internet today! I agree with everything you, Toni, and Silver said. My parents never had a problem with me reading adult books as a kid. I started on Stephen King and John Grisham in 6th grade. Both my mom and stepmom were big readers and several of my aunts as uncles also, so I always had someone to talk to about what I was reading. My fave banned book is To Kill a Mockingbird. I didn’t know The Adventures of Huck Finn was a banned book. I think I’m gonna have to go and re-read just because of that!

Just thought I’d add that there are age recommendations for books for a reason. I don’t think that Forever — a book about the first time having sex — should be in an elementary school library, but I think most librarians understand that, and would shelve Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing instead. It’s common sense. And too often, people don’t exhibit common sense.

There was a controversy recently — I can’t remember where — because two parents objected to a book being taught to their middle school daughter because it had a rape, it had language associated with rape and sex, and they felt it was too violent for their daughter who was emotionally maybe a bit younger than her peers. They didn’t want the images of a violent rape in her head. The school in question “forgot” to send out an opt-out slip to parents and all kids were required to read the book. I can in that case totally see why those parents would be angry and up-in-arms. The school made a huge mistake, and their apology seemed insincere. These are important issues and parents should have a say in what their kids are exposed to. The school wouldn’t show a rated R movie without permission (my kids school won’t show a PG or PG-13 movie without getting my permission) and I think that’s wise. So on the one hand, I see why some of these challenges happen … not that I justify them. Schools and teachers also need to be responsible and recognize that parents are in charge of their kids.

No wonder I ilke your books so much and our taste in tv is so similar. If I was as eloquant as you I would have written this exact post.

People need to get a grip. And just because one person is offened doesn’t mean everyone should be deprived.

It really concerns me that free speach seems to be becoming a thing of the past, especially on college campuses, We should be able to have reasonable discussions with opposing view points without someone getting their panties in a twist.

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Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-four romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband and five children.

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